Scleral prosthesis having serrated or other surface(s) for retention in scleral tissue for treating presbyopia and other eye disorders

Abstract

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes opposing first and second free ends and at least one serrated or textured surface between the first and second free ends. The at least one serrated or textured surface is configured to allow sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a first direction and to resist sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scleral prosthesis comprising:
 an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye, the elongated body comprising opposing first and second free ends and at least one serrated or textured surface between the first and second free ends;   wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface is configured to allow sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a first direction and to resist sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises:
 a top surface extending from the first free end to the second free end; and   a bottom surface extending from the first free end to the second free end.   
     
     
         3 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface comprises the bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least part of the top surface is convex; and   at least part of the bottom surface is planar.   
     
     
         5 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening through the first end, the opening configured to be grasped by a surgical tool.   
     
     
         6 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is linear and has a substantially equal width along its length. 
     
     
         7 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface comprises multiple grooves forming multiple angled projections. 
     
     
         8 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the grooves and the angled projections extend substantially across an entire width of the elongated body. 
     
     
         9 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is configured to be implanted lengthwise into the scleral tissue of the eye. 
     
     
         10 . The scleral prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the elongated body tapers towards the first and second ends. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 forming an elongated body of a scleral prosthesis that is configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye, the elongated body comprising opposing first and second free ends and at least one serrated or textured surface between the first and second free ends;   wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface is configured to allow sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a first direction and to resist sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated body comprises:
 a top surface extending from the first free end to the second free end; and   a bottom surface extending from the first free end to the second free end.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface comprises the bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least part of the top surface is convex; and   at least part of the bottom surface is planar.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 forming an opening through the first end, the opening configured to be grasped by a surgical tool.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated body is linear and has a substantially equal width along its length. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface comprises multiple grooves forming multiple angled projections. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated body is configured to be implanted lengthwise into the scleral tissue of the eye. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the elongated body tapers towards the first and second ends. 
     
     
         20 . A scleral prosthesis comprising:
 an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye, the elongated body comprising opposing first and second free ends and at least one serrated or textured surface between the first and second free ends; and   an opening through the first end, the opening configured to be grasped by a surgical tool;   wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface is configured to allow sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a first direction and to resist sliding of the elongated body within the scleral tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction;   wherein the elongated body comprises a top surface extending from the first free end to the second free end and a bottom surface extending from the first free end to the second free end, at least part of the top surface being convex, at least part of the bottom surface being planar;   wherein the at least one serrated or textured surface comprises multiple grooves forming multiple angled projections; and   wherein a thickness of the elongated body tapers towards the first and second ends.